1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
How I Learned to Drive is a play that is set in Maryland, and it centers are the experiences of Li’l Bit, mostly of the relationship with her Uncle Peck. The play jumps relatively quickly through time and specific set as it recounts memories of her and her Uncle to push their dynamic further.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion takes place near the very end of the play when Li’l Bit decides she is going to leave for college. This leads to the quick breakdown of her and Peck’s relationship, and it leads us to concluding events of the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day she decides to tell her story.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Li’l bit be able to lead a regular life? Why does Uncle peck act this way? Does anybody know of their relationship? Does relationship end or have an effect on the two involved?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The exposition the readers know from the beginning is the relationship Peck and Li’l Bit have. It is the very essence of the play, and it is introduced to us in the first encounter.
The exposition that is introduced to the readers is when Peck tells of his fishing trip with his nephew. While it is not explicitly said, it is implied heavily. Pek takes him to his secret treehouse where they and drink beer as long as he doesn’t tell anyone.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is in the hotel room. Peck professes his love and proposes to Li’l Bt. She came here to tell him that it is over, but end up laying down with him. Right as you think that she might go back to him, she backs out. It seems as if she finally taking control of the situation after being able to see it from a different perspective at college.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
-Misogyny -Abuse -Compliant nature of children to those they trust
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Li’l Bit wants to feel accepted by her classmates, but she feels ostracized because of her body. She feels like an object. This might be why she accepts Peck. It consoles her feeling of being isolated. Someone finally cares about more than just her ‘jiggle’.
Li’l Bit wants to be more than her family. She wants to go to college, but the first thing holding her back is the misogyny that she faces from her family. They make her feel like she can’t. When she finally gets to college her relationship with Peck and her developing alcoholism hinder her from finishing what she really wants.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The lessons- These are an innuendo into her abuse. The meet to learn to drive, but they also meet so that they can have their time. When it revealed to us at the end of the play that the first time this happened was actually the first time he taught her to drive, at eleven, the title “How I Learned to Drive” becomes abundantly clear.
The Music- As we listened in class, this music seems like and ideal world, but oddly uses a lot of predatory language and imagery. It is a great image of their relationship.
The Cadillac- This is a sign for his long term wants with Li’l Bit. It is this grand gesture on her eighteenth birthday. It is a real moment when Bit sees Pecks real motives. He always wanted one, but now gives it up to get Li’l Bit.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The family relationships in this play aren’t the typical relationships. Bit hates her family. They don’t support her and are actively trying to suppress her dreams. The one person that seems to care about her forreal has the ulterior motives behind him. She doesn’t have a real family relationship in this.
How I Learned to Drive is a play that is set in Maryland, and it centers are the experiences of Li’l Bit, mostly of the relationship with her Uncle Peck. The play jumps relatively quickly through time and specific set as it recounts memories of her and her Uncle to push their dynamic further.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion takes place near the very end of the play when Li’l Bit decides she is going to leave for college. This leads to the quick breakdown of her and Peck’s relationship, and it leads us to concluding events of the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day she decides to tell her story.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Li’l bit be able to lead a regular life?
Why does Uncle peck act this way?
Does anybody know of their relationship?
Does relationship end or have an effect on the two involved?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The exposition the readers know from the beginning is the relationship Peck and Li’l Bit have. It is the very essence of the play, and it is introduced to us in the first encounter.
The exposition that is introduced to the readers is when Peck tells of his fishing trip with his nephew. While it is not explicitly said, it is implied heavily. Pek takes him to his secret treehouse where they and drink beer as long as he doesn’t tell anyone.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is in the hotel room. Peck professes his love and proposes to Li’l Bt. She came here to tell him that it is over, but end up laying down with him. Right as you think that she might go back to him, she backs out. It seems as if she finally taking control of the situation after being able to see it from a different perspective at college.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
-Misogyny
-Abuse
-Compliant nature of children to those they trust
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Li’l Bit wants to feel accepted by her classmates, but she feels ostracized because of her body. She feels like an object. This might be why she accepts Peck. It consoles her feeling of being isolated. Someone finally cares about more than just her ‘jiggle’.
Li’l Bit wants to be more than her family. She wants to go to college, but the first thing holding her back is the misogyny that she faces from her family. They make her feel like she can’t. When she finally gets to college her relationship with Peck and her developing alcoholism hinder her from finishing what she really wants.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The lessons-
These are an innuendo into her abuse. The meet to learn to drive, but they also meet so that they can have their time. When it revealed to us at the end of the play that the first time this happened was actually the first time he taught her to drive, at eleven, the title “How I Learned to Drive” becomes abundantly clear.
The Music-
As we listened in class, this music seems like and ideal world, but oddly uses a lot of predatory language and imagery. It is a great image of their relationship.
The Cadillac-
This is a sign for his long term wants with Li’l Bit. It is this grand gesture on her eighteenth birthday. It is a real moment when Bit sees Pecks real motives. He always wanted one, but now gives it up to get Li’l Bit.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The family relationships in this play aren’t the typical relationships. Bit hates her family. They don’t support her and are actively trying to suppress her dreams. The one person that seems to care about her forreal has the ulterior motives behind him. She doesn’t have a real family relationship in this.